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Heathrow has reduced planned spending on third-runway noise mitigation measures. The proposed budget has fallen from £241m to £52m, adding another contested cost and community-impact issue to the regulatory and parliamentary scrutiny surrounding airport expansion.
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Employment-status reform is returning to the centre of labour policy. Fabian Society and Joseph Rowntree Foundation research urges stronger enforcement against misclassification and a reversal of the burden of proof in parts of the labour market.
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UK startups are challenging government’s record on technology procurement access. New evidence shows SMEs captured 21% of direct public procurement spending in 2025, while startup advocates argue central government technology buying remains concentrated among large incumbent suppliers.
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Au Vodka is in advanced talks over a possible sale. US drinks group Sazerac is discussing a transaction worth up to £500m, potentially delivering a major exit for the Swansea-founded brand’s founders after a decade of rapid growth.
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London’s main flood defence may require replacement earlier than planned. Officials warn the Thames Barrier could need major intervention by 2050-60, with costs potentially reaching £20bn as sea-level rise, ageing assets, and more demanding operating conditions reshape long-term resilience planning.
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Universities are widening overseas fee discounts as recruitment pressure grows. At least 22 institutions now offer automatic postgraduate discounts, while falling international enrolment and weaker fee income are exposing the financial risks built into university growth assumptions.
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Jo Bamford plans a £100m northern bus manufacturing investment programme. The Wrightbus owner says a new North West plant could support 2,500 jobs, tying the proposal to public procurement, technical skills, and demand for British-built zero-emission buses.
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Manchester Airport growth is intensifying pressure for northern rail investment. A new report argues stronger links through Northern Powerhouse Rail are needed to widen the airport’s economic reach and connect more northern businesses to international markets.
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Housing planning approvals have fallen to their lowest recorded level. HBF data shows only 1,220 private housing projects gained permission in England during the first quarter, deepening concern that planning reform alone will not restore development volumes.
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The FCA is examining banks connected to unregulated loan-note schemes. Scrutiny is growing over whether regulated institutions adequately assessed high-risk counterparties and suspicious payment flows as collapsed investment schemes leave consumers facing potentially substantial losses.
